Former World No.1 and Olympic gold medallist Yevgeny Kafelnikov has issued a stark piece of advice to Spanish tennis sensation Carlos Alcaraz as the young star searches for a new coach. Kafelnikov emphasised that Alcaraz's parents must not interfere in the critical decision, following the player's high-profile split with long-time mentor Juan Carlos Ferrero in December, just weeks before the start of the 2026 season.
Parental Interference a 'Big Mistake', Says Kafelnikov
In a candid interview with Sport Club, the Russian tennis legend expressed his strong views on family involvement in a professional athlete's career. "The biggest mistake is when parents interfere in the process," Kafelnikov stated. He revealed that from what he had heard, "there was a big fight between Juan Carlos and Carlos's father" which ultimately led to the breakdown of the successful partnership.
Kafelnikov, who made all his own career decisions without paternal input, found the situation disappointing. He pointed out that Alcaraz, now a grown man and a six-time Grand Slam champion, should be the sole decision-maker. "Carlos is a grown man, he is the one who can make all the decisions now," he asserted, questioning why Alcaraz did not assert his independence given the immense success achieved under Ferrero's guidance.
Clear Boundaries for Family and New Coach
The 2000 Olympics champion outlined what he believes should be the ideal dynamic for the 22-year-old Spaniard moving forward. While he sees no issue with Alcaraz's parents travelling with him or sitting in his player's box, he insists they must have zero involvement in coaching matters.
"The first thing a new coach should look for is that the parents don't interfere," Kafelnikov advised. He was unequivocal that a father cannot double as an agent managing schedules and other professional affairs. This clear separation, according to the former World No.1, is crucial for maintaining a healthy and productive player-coach relationship. Kafelnikov admitted, however, that he was unsure who would be a suitable candidate to take over the coaching reins from Ferrero at this juncture.
Alcaraz and Sinner's Dominance Casts Shadow on Rivals
Shifting focus to the broader men's tour, Kafelnikov analysed the current landscape dominated by Alcaraz and his contemporary, Italy's Jannik Sinner. The duo have shared the last eight Grand Slam titles between them over the past two years, creating a formidable duopoly.
This dominance, Kafelnikov suggested, makes the path to a major title exceedingly difficult for other top contenders like Germany's Alexander Zverev and Russia's Daniil Medvedev. Regarding Zverev, he noted that while a Slam win is still possible for the 28-year-old, as exemplified by Thomas Muster's late-career success, the competition is "extremely strong."
He delivered a similar assessment for Medvedev, stating that unless the former US Open champion makes significant changes to his training and approach, he may not contend for Grand Slam titles again. "The main question is – are they ready to be dedicated 24/7 to be better?" Kafelnikov pondered, hinting that established stars are sometimes unwilling to make the sacrifices required to dethrone the sport's new kings.
The advice from the seasoned veteran puts the spotlight squarely on Carlos Alcaraz's next move as he navigates a pivotal transition in his already glittering career, aiming to reclaim his position at the very pinnacle of world tennis.
